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Listening to America: Winnetka, IL

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 09:08:29 PM. © Obama HQ

Listening to America Platform Meetings are going on now through Sunday night, all across the country. These meetings are a unique chance for regular Americans to add their input to the 2008 Democratic Party Platform. Christine from Winnetka, IL attended a Platform Meeting earlier today, and wrote about it on her blog on My.BarackObama.com:

This morning I participated in a Platform Meeting at the home of a friend in my hometown. My head is swimming, we discussed so many important issues -- not a single distraction, just policy. I strongly encourage everyone to find a meeting near you and participate. What a tremendous opportunity to express our views and concerns to the campaign and Democratic party, this is...

Our meeting took just over an hour, but could have gone on much longer if some of us did not have to pick up our children from their various summer camps and activities (we may have a "Meeting Part II" if we can). Our particular group (which actually meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, so to speak) consists of women in their 30's through 70's. Some are former supporters of Senator Clinton, some are long-time Democratic activists, and others (like me) are brand-spankin' new to this. All told, we had a dozen people attend this morning's Platform Meeting.

We all sat in a circle and each of us took a turn talking about which issue was most important to us. After each individual was done speaking, other members of the group would ask questions and make comments until we reached a consensus on the issue.

The issues they discussed ranged from the widening gap between rich and poor to energy independence and American values. After getting to express her ideas and discuss them with fellow supporters, Christine felt even better prepared to spread the word about Barack and his message of change.

Overall, I found the meeting tremendously helpful in getting my own thoughts about why I support Barack in order. It will be much easier to express my views to undecided voters as to why Barack should be President, after having had this opportunity to brainstorm and distill the issues with so many other incredibly bright supporters.

Get out there and sign up for a Platform meeting today! Be the change.

There are over 800 Platform Meetings left over the next four days. Find one near you today, and add your voice to the 2008 Democratic Platform.

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamahqblog/gGxm7n

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The buzz from local blogs: "A governing majority
that could last a generation"

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 07:18:04 PM. © Obama HQ

Susan at Reviving Susan showcases the gargantuan canvas she painted for the field office opening in Middleton, Ohio.

Alex at Middletown Ohio Blog has more:

Many Middletown residents believe Barack Obama is the right man for the job. Jean from Preble County said that Obama is "the right man at the right time." The general feeling locally is that people are tired of being "stuck in disappointment." They look at Obama and are encouraged in his belief that the United States can achieve more.

David at Burnt Orange Report in Texas reflects on this year's historic 50 state campaign:

The fact that Barack Obama has staffers in traditionally red states... will make him a more effective leader if he does in fact become president. ...

We would be fools not to try to seize this opportunity to build a governing majority that could last a generation.

David at KY3 Political Notebook in Missouri has details on Obama Ozark Office Openings (occasions sure to be rife with O's).

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/laurinmanning/gGxmyD

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Road Blog: Israel, the Day in Pictures

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 06:14:59 PM. © Obama HQ

Even veteran members of the traveling press were shocked when they saw today's schedule. Some had never seen such a packed day.

Indeed, Barack made the most of his day in Israel. He met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Likud Party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, visited the Holocaust History Museum at Yad Vashem, met with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem and then Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah. He toured the town of Sderot with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, met the Mayor of Jerusalem, and had dinner with Prime Minister Olmert. Not a bad day's work.

We are off to Berlin in a few very short hours where Senator Obama be speaking at Berlin's Teirgarten park tomorrow. We will be streaming that event live Thursday at 1pm EDT.

Enjoy your pictures of today...

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gGx4pC

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Road Blog: Barack Obama visits Sderot, Israel

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 06:12:05 PM. © Obama HQ

"Sderot is a place that looks peaceful and it should live in peace because the people of Israel believe in peace." said Tzipi Livni, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs as she introduced Barack Obama.

Livni gave Senator Obama a tour of a home in Sderot that had been torn apart by a rocket attack, and afterwards Senator Obama spoke about what he had just seen in a press availabiilty...

video details and more

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gGx4J9

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Organizing Fellows: Andy in Ohio

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 04:10:23 PM. © Obama HQ

As part of a continuing series, we're following Obama Organizing Fellows as they share their stories and their experiences. They discuss the people they meet, the hardships of organizing, what the campaign means to them, and how this summer is changing their perspective.

Andy is an Organizing Fellow in Ohio. His stories appear each Wednesday.

This past weekend marked the 160th anniversary of the historic Seneca Falls convention -- the first women's rights convention in the United States. The Obama campaign commemorated the importance of th women's rights movement by conducting Woman to Woman events, contacting voters and encouraging them to participate in the upcoming elections.

Many of these events across Ohio were coordinated with local female candidates who are running for office. I had the fortune of going to one such event.

It was at the home of Marian Harris, who is running for state representative in the 19th district of Ohio. We all gathered around her kitchen table to listen as she unveiled her strategy for our afternoon canvass.

Marian explained her plans to improve education, the economy, health care and the environment for Ohioans by working with her community and the governor. This was valuable information for us because we could then communicate it to the voters we met. It was also exciting to hear how similar these four goals are to Senator Obama's.
Before we went out, I got to ask her what this canvass meant to her. She told me that "I am doing this to celebrate Seneca Falls and my grandchildren's future". She is encouraged by working with the Obama campaign because of the way it is collaborating with local communities and drawing on the knowledge base of everyday Americans. I wanted to ask her more questions, but I didn't have the time. There were voters to be registered!

Marian divided up the canvass packets with addresses and maps. We then paired up and headed out to knock on doors. I teamed up with Organizing Fellow Hajra and we traveled to our neighborhood.

On the way over I asked Hajra what brought her here. She had just graduated from college and told me she was doing this because this campaign was the "cause of all causes". Before coming to the Obama campaign, Hajra worked with non-profit groups to collaborate with developing nations to solve womens issues. She came here because Senator Obama embodies the goals she worked on prior to the campaign. Obama shares Hajra's commitment to ending violence against women, creating economic opportunity and ensuring that women are represented in our government.

This fellowship has Hajra working harder than she ever has before. Through this hard work she has learned "to be self-confident and not to worry about being Muslim or having an Arabic name. Most of all, as someone who hasn't held many leadership positions in the past, I've learned that I'm capable of empowering communities to act for change." All of her hard work is driven by her hope for "stability for better communities, better nations, and ultimately, a better world."

Hajra and I canvassed the neighborhood while the summer sun bore down on us. We knocked on hundreds of doors, spoke to tons of people, and registered a lot of new voters. There were times when we were tempted to go swimming in the community pool, but we knew we made the right decision to keep on knocking when we spoke with Byrnette back in the office.
She comes to this movement because she thinks womens issues are common sense issues. "They are not idealistic, they are practical and grounded in other issues" she said. Juggling all the roles that are required of her is a concern for Byrnette. Between being disabled, on a fixed income, and having one child in college with another on the way, she told me that it can be worrisome at times.

But in the face of these concerns she does not back down. Instead she fights even harder to advance our cause of creating equality and opportunity for all. She is a tabling captain this upcoming weekend at the Jazz and Rib fest in Columbus. She enjoys working at tabling events because "not only do I get to meet a lot of volunteers, but I get to meet a lot of voters. There are a lot of reasons that people don't show up to the polls, so I encourage them to check all of their information and make sure there on not any surprises on election day." Her favorite thing is when people register for the first time. "We need hope for something positive in the face of all the drama and violence. You see that when you register someone who has never registered in their life."

This week has been inspirational for me. It has reminded me that the advancement of civil rights can only be achieved when people of all backgrounds band together to create change. We cannot wait for one person or one group to make the difference; we must all act now.

Check back next week for more from Andy in Ohio, and check out our Flickr page for more of his photos.

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamahqblog/gGxm8y

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Obama Volunteer Video from Netroots Nation

post from Texans For Obama - Barack Obama in '08. - Front Page on 23 July 2008 02:53:45 PM. © Texans For Obama - Barack Obama in '08. - Front Page

(cross-posted from TurnTexasBlue.com)

There is no question volunteer are the heart and soul of the campaigns to Turn Texas Blue and elect Barack Obama. Its amazing how much these campaigns have empowered folks to take this election into their own hand and be the change they want to see. This is another great video shot during Netroots Nation about the power of tools available to be utilized to organize your community !

video details and more

Its important we do not stop organizing towards our collective goals. With the tools available and good old fashion hard work we can Turn Texas Blue.

Read The Full Article:
http://blog.texansforobama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1266

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Road Blog: Barack Obama at Yad Vashem

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 01:15:04 PM. © Obama HQ

After a busy morning of meetings, Senator Obama toured Yad Vashem, just outside Jerusalem.

Yad Vashem is a museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and its victims.

Senator Obama laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, and shared his thoughts in the museum's guest book:

I am grateful to Yad Vashem and all of those responsible for this remarkable institution.

At a time of great peril and promise, war and strife, we are blessed to have such a powerful reminder of man’s potential for great evil, but also our capacity to rise from tragedy and remake our world. Let our children come here, and know this history, so they can add their voices to proclaim “never again”. And may we remember those who perished, not only as victims but also as individuals who hoped and loved and dreamed like us, and who have become symbols of the human spirit.

Senator Obama also made remarks following his tour that you can watch below...

Arun Chaudhary
July 23rd , 2008
Jerusalem, Israel

video details and more

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gGx4gG

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Obama Campaign Airs New Spanish Language Radio Ad

post from Obama HQ on 23 July 2008 12:34:28 PM. © Obama HQ

CHICAGO, IL – On the heels of U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s speeches at the LUCAC and NCLR conventions, the Obama campaign today released a Spanish language radio ad entitled Nuestro Propio Camino, which profiles Senator Obama’s upbringing and connection to Latino values. Nuestro Propio Camino will air in Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Nevada.

“Latinos can relate to Senator Obama’s background of hard work and commitment to family and community,” said Federico Pena, National Campaign Co-Chair. “Senator Obama is serious about winning the Latino vote and this Spanish language ad is but one among a variety of his efforts to build on the progress of the primary. ”

Listen to Nuestro Propio Camino...

Continue reading for the translated script of the ad...

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGx4gK

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Surge or No Surge... It's Still the Same Damned
War!

True confession... I avoid watching television news.Once the Democratic Primary started, it opened my eyes to the fact that most of the commentators and news anchors DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL...

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